Tomorrow is the first day of your new job or internship, and you’re tearing your closet apart. You want to dress for success and make an incredible first impression. If you play your cards right, you’re sure this opportunity could launch you into your dream career. 

Do you know what to wear to ensure that you simultaneously fit in and stand out in all the ways that matter? 

According to the US Chamber of Commerce, 55% of first impressions in the workplace begin with your appearance. If you want to shine from day one, it’s crucial to understand how to dress for success before you walk through the door and greet your new supervisor. 

Below, we’ve shared our five best tips for mastering the business dress code and confidently choosing what to wear, whether headed to the office or working from home.

Tip #1: Do Your Research 

Dressing for business is not a one-size-fits-all experience. One simple way to determine the company dress code is to read the handbook. These texts often include a page or two about what employees should and should not wear to the office. It will likely include guidelines for work-from-home employees, too. Your handbook is the most straightforward dress code guidance for new hires.

If your company’s handbook doesn’t include this information, see if there’s a page about the company culture. You might need to read between the lines to figure out your employer’s priorities. Phrases like “laid back” can provide a clue that your company doesn’t require employees to wear suits five days a week. 

If you are working in-person, think about what the other employees were wearing the last time you visited the office, whether it was during your interview or while filling out paperwork. Try to match their level of formality, but aim to dress on the conservative side on your first day. It’s always better to be slightly overdressed.

If working remotely, take note of what individuals were wearing for the interview. Again, err on the side of overdressed, especially if you’ll be appearing on camera.

When in doubt, send your supervisor a friendly email. Express your excitement about starting the job and ask about the dress code. They’ll appreciate your initiative and positive attitude.

Tip #2: Dress Neat but Stay Practical 

Your industry can help dictate the type of clothing you wear to work. 

For example, lawyers and clerks aim to inspire confidence in their clients. They may wish to dress in formal professional attire. In contrast, a preschool teacher, who will spend their day on the floor surrounded by art supplies, might dress in a business casual style. 

The clothing you wear to work should be practical, so make sure you’re realistic when you dress for the job. Seek to dress as neatly as possible without sacrificing your ability to perform your duties.

During work-from-home opportunities, it can be helpful to dress a little nicer than you have to. A simple blazer can help you transition into “work mode” and keep you from becoming complacent.

Tip #3: Understand Common Dress Codes 

In some roles, your dress code might vary from day to day, but you’ll probably follow one of four common office dress codes.

• Business Professional Dress Code You’ll often find business professional attire in fields such as law, finance, and politics. It’s the most conservative way to dress for the office. You’ll see subdued, neutral colors such as black, charcoal, and navy blue. Employees might wear tucked-in button-down shirts, simple accessories, and dress shoes.
  
• Business Casual Dress Code You might dress business casual if you work in academia, education, marketing, media, or non-profit positions. You can incorporate more color and aren’t beholden to suits and ties. You can replace the suit jacket with a cardigan or a nice dress.
  
• Smart Casual Dress Code Start-ups and tech companies often follow a smart casual dress code. When dressing for work, you’ll wear the nicest version of a casual outfit. For example, you might wear dark, unripped jeans, neat sweaters, and clean sneakers.
  
• Casual Dress Code You can find a casual dress code in artsy or retail-focused workplaces. In these roles, you have more control over what you wear. You can dress for style and comfort, incorporating more of your personality. While your office might allow t-shirts and flip-flops, remember that you’re trying to make a good first impression, so try to maintain some polish. 

Familiarize yourself with all the dress codes above, and you’ll always know what’s expected during special meetings (or on casual Fridays). 

Tip #4: Stock Up on Staples 

If you’re starting your first job, you might not have the money to afford a large selection of office-friendly clothing. We advise building a mix-and-match wardrobe that makes it easy to plan work-appropriate outfits and dress for success.

Some individuals call these “capsule wardrobes.” All the pieces coordinate, making it easier to combine unique looks without repeating outfits.

Go through your closet and begin with the pieces you have, supplementing as needed. Most business wardrobes use either black or navy as the “base neutral.” Your core pieces (tops and bottoms) should be in coordinating neutrals.

For a versatile work wardrobe, try to include the following types of business attire: 

• 5 Bottoms: Dress pants, skirts, and possibly a nice pair of neat, dark denim jeans
• 5 Tops: Button downs, short sleeve tops, and long sleeve tops
• 3 Pieces of Outerwear: Cardigans, suit jackets, or blazers

You can also include one or two neutral dresses, if appropriate.

Supplement your neutrals with pops of colors by adding a few bolder collared shirts or blouses. Add color and personality through accessories such as ties, scarves, jewelry, pocket squares, belts, and shoes. 

Tip #5:  Invest in an Iron and Steamer

The more formal your work wardrobe, the harder you’ll need to work to maintain it. In business professional environments, you may need to send your suits to the dry cleaners for professional cleaning and pressing. In business and smart casual settings, you can usually handle maintenance at home. 

Even the nicest clothing can look shabby if you allow it to wrinkle or crease. You can buy an inexpensive electric iron or hand steamer online or at most home supply stores. These easy-to-use tools make it simple to keep your work clothes looking crisp and clean on a budget. 

Be sure to neatly hang your clean work clothes after steaming or ironing them.

Dress For Success and Make an Incredible First Impression   

When you walk through the door on your first day at work, what do you want your supervisor and coworkers to think? Dressing for success means curating a neat, confident appearance that shows the world you’re ready to get the job done. 
If you haven’t discovered your dream role yet, speak to a career expert for further guidance on your path. You’ll be picking out your first-day duds in no time!